Nigeria’s Senate Advances Bill for Social Media Giants to Establish Local Offices

The Nigerian Senate is advancing a bill requiring social media giants to establish local offices in Nigeria. Introduced by Senator Ned Nwoko, this proposed legislation aims to enhance accountability in the digital landscape while aligning with global data protection standards. Advocates view it as a catalyst for economic growth, whereas critics express concerns over operational challenges for social media platforms and bloggers.

The Nigerian Senate is advancing a legislative initiative requiring major social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok, to establish local offices within Nigeria. This initiative, known as ‘A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023,’ has successfully completed its second reading. Introduced by Senator Ned Nwoko in November 2024, the bill aims to enhance regulation in Nigeria’s digital sector and ensure accountability among international technology companies operating there.

Senator Nwoko emphasized during discussions that Nigeria must align its standards with global data protection norms and address supervisory gaps concerning digital platforms. He highlighted Nigeria’s status as Africa’s most populous nation, with over 220 million inhabitants and the highest social media engagement on the continent, as a motivating factor for the proposed reforms.

According to the Global Web Index, Nigerians spend an average of three hours and 46 minutes daily on social media, placing them second worldwide in terms of online interaction. Nevertheless, while these major platforms function in Nigeria, they lack physical offices in the country as they do in several other regions.

The proposed legislation mandates that social media companies, data controllers, processors, and bloggers set up verifiable physical offices in Nigeria. Proponents believe that this measure will improve user support, ensure compliance with local laws, enhance tax revenue, and stimulate economic growth through job creation and increased investments.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio further reiterated that the legislation is not intended to restrict free speech but rather to enhance accountability and ensure proper taxation. He noted, “The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security for further examination. The committee is expected to conduct public hearings and provide feedback within two months.”

Should this legislation be enacted, it could revolutionize Nigeria’s digital landscape and serve as a model for other African nations. However, detractors have voiced concerns that the measure could impose considerable operational burdens on social media enterprises and independent bloggers, potentially leading to reduced service quality or higher costs for users.

The Nigerian Senate is taking significant steps to enforce regulations on social media companies with the introduction of a bill requiring local offices. This legislation aims to ensure accountability, compliance with local laws, and has the potential to boost economic growth. However, the implications for operational challenges and impacts on users’ costs remain contentious topics among critics. Therefore, a balanced approach must be considered to safeguard both regulatory and operational perspectives.

Original Source: broadcastmediaafrica.com